The 9th annual Byron Bay Film Festival (BBFF) has been called “arguably Australia’s most successful regional film event” (SBS Film) and it’s on again this March 6-15th, drawing over 225 inspirational films and filmmakers together from over 40 countries around the world.

One of the premieres at this year’s festival will be the new feature-length documentary Will and Testament about the longest-serving MP in UK politics, Tony Benn, and his brand of socialism that has struck a chord with generations. Another highlight to look for is the Italian documentary Ultima Chiamata (Last Call), which examines the book The Limits of Growth, first published 40 years ago that warned about the dangers of climate change that have now overtaken us.

Director of the BBFF, J’aimee Skippon-Volke says the festival has a “firm and strong political focus that brings to light social justice issues that are important to the Byron community and beyond.” BBFF 2015 is a celebration of the “unique experience we gain by leaving the comfort of the couch and attending a grassroots film festival. Whether you’re in the film industry or a film lover, there’s nothing like being in the cinema with a filmmaker who has poured years of their lifeblood into telling a story,” Skippon-Volke says.

The Byron Bay Film Festival will spotlight a raft of new and established filmmakers, including popular Australian actor and director David Wenham (Lord of the Rings, Moulin Rouge), and veteran filmmaker Paul Cox, (patron of the festival). Legendary actor Jack Thomson will also be presenting a special session on Australian art as part of the festival.

Meet the Filmmakers and it’s parent company, ScreenZone Media Pty Ltd. have been proud supporters of the Byron Bay Film Festival for the last three years, and are again honoured to be sponsors of the $2000 Meet the Filmmaker International Documentary Prize 2015 to “promote films that question and enlarge our perception of the world around us.”

Last year’s winner was the highly acclaimed Gore Vidal: The United States of Amnesia by writer-director Nicholas Wrathall, available soon on www.meetthefilmmaker.com. Documentaries submitted to the festival are eligible for the prize by agreeing to sell their film through Meet the Filmmaker, which offers a one-stop show for film news, interviews and Video On Demand sales for new and emerging filmmakers both local and international.

For more information, go to: https://meetthefilmmakers.com/filmmakers/meet-filmmakers-international-documentary-prize-2015 and the Byron Bay Film Festival 2015 website: http://www.bbff.com.au